Show Notes: “View from the Pulpit” Podcast, Episode 4: A Conversation with Dr. Levi Skipper

Episode Theme: A preacher’s preparation and the role of preaching in the church

In this episode of “View from the Pulpit,” host Ben Smith talks with Dr. Levi Skipper, senior pastor of Sagemont Church, Houston, TX, about the process of preparing to preach, the role of preaching in the ministry of the church, and how technology has impacted the ministry of preaching.

Key Highlights:

The Details of Sermon Preparation: Dr. Skipper discusses his weekly sermon preparation process, from reading a scripture text to delivering a sermon. Levi discusses using a sermon manuscript and how his pulpit notes have changed over the years.

Helpful Criticism: Dr. Skipper advocates for the benefits of developing relationships with those who can give helpful criticism and coaching to help you become a better preacher.

Importance of knowing your congregation: Beyond the study and writing of sermons, Dr. Skipper describes how knowing your congregation is a requirement for every preacher.

Technology and the church: Online access has impacted how many connect with preaching. Dr. Skipper discusses how God has used technology to advance the reach of the church’s preaching ministry and its limitations.

Join Ben Smith and Dr. Levi Skipper for an honest discussion of the challenges and joys of preaching and how you can be more faithful in the pulpit.

Host: Ben Smith

Guest: Dr. Levi Skipper

Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA.

For more information and resources from Pastor Ben Smith, visit www.BenSmithSr.org

Follow Ben Smith on X at https://x.com/bensmithsr

For more information on Central Baptist Church, Waycross, GA, visit https://cbcwaycross.org/

Other podcasts by Ben Smith:

All For the Kingdom is a weekly podcast of pastor Ben’s preaching ministry. https://www.bensmithsr.org/bensmith-allforthekingdom

Sermon Shorts is a podcast of sermon clips that are 5 minutes or less. https://www.bensmithsr.org/shortspod

Dr. Levi Skipper is the senior pastor of Sagemont Church, Houston, TX. He previously served as the Vice President of Church Strengthening for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, where he has been serving with the Georgia Baptist Convention since 2019. Levi has 22 years of ministry experience, of which 17 have been in the role of Senior Pastor. Levi is a graduate of Shorter University, Rome, GA. He went on to receive his Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctorate in Ministry from Luther Rice University.

Dr. Skipper was called at the age of 23 as Lead Pastor of Ewing Road Baptist Church in Austell, Georgia. In 2009, from his heart for evangelism and missions and a clear call from God, Levi founded First Day Ministry. At First Day Ministry, Levi has preached at evangelism conferences with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, revivals across the state, and has held numerous evangelistic crusades overseas. He has also been instrumental in founding a theological training school that has equipped over 300 pastors in Ethiopia. In 2010, returned to the pastorate as Senior Pastor at Concord Baptist Church in Clermont, Georgia. In 2019, he accepted the role of Director of Evangelism for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.

Dr. Skipper is the author of many books and resources that include:

-The Domino Effect: Building an Evangelistic Culture in the Life of Your Church

- No Sweat Evangelism

- No Sweat Discipleship

- Ride the Waves

- Your Ministry Zone

- Time Management Training

- Spiritual Avalanche, https://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Avalanche-Dr-Levi-Skipper/dp/1617775630

- Marriage In the Red: Transforming your Marriage One Color at a Time (2010), https://www.christianbook.com/marriage-transforming-your-one-color-time/levi-skipper/9781449703721/pd/703722?srsltid=AfmBOoqIzB8dqdCN7qaep1RMWKy-oRJp7xpHvzWjxEi08fb4eMPcZpiM

Follow Dr. Skipper on X at https://x.com/drjlskipper

You can find video of Dr. Levi Skipper’s preaching at https://www.sagemontchurch.org/media/on-demand/

An audio podcast of Dr. Levi Skipper’s preaching is available on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sagemont-church/id1774323850

A special thanks to Jim Gibson for permission to use his recording of “Brethren We Have Met to Worship” for this podcast. You can find more information about Jim Gibson’s music and many other recordings at https://www.hickorycovemusic.com/.

Music by Jim Gibson. “Brethren We have Met to Worship.” Songs of the South III, @2003 Hickory Cove Music.